This weekend was the first fixture in the Charles Stanley Westward cross country league. The first round was held at Newnham Park in Plymouth, on a private estate owned by the Cobbold family.

Wendy Goldthorp, Teignbridge XC Captain, must have been pleased to have 8 Trotters competing in the season curtain raiser.

Wendy, Helen Anthony and Hylda Stewart ran for the ladies, and Ewan Walton, Joe Hornsby, Keith Anderson, Carl Bennett and Roger Easterbrook made up a strong looking men’s team.

Helen led our ladies trio home by completing the testing course in a super time of 00:23:56 to finish in 29^th place. Wendy finished in a very respectable 71^st position, posting a time 00:26:38. Hylda gave her all to finish 129^th in a solid time of 00:40:27.

In the men’s competition, mud loving Roger stormed home to finish in a fine 40^th place, clocking a great time of 00:33:25. Ewan Walton also ran well to cross the line in 00:35:22 to finish in 71^st place.

The other Trotters positions & times were: Joe (79, 00:35:50), Carl (142, 00:42:18), Keith (163, 00:56:15).

Teignbridge Trotter James Long competed in the North Coast 110km Ultra in Barnstaple. The race began with a night time start, before the runners set out on the only flat section of the course along the Taw estuary. After passing through Braunton Burrows, the first big climb took the runners above Saunton Sands before dropping back down to Croyde Bay. Baggy Point, Woolacombe Sands and Morte Point were then passed. From here the hills increased in size and frequency as Bull Point light house, Lee Bay and Ilfracombe came and went. A short section through the town led to another couple of hills before reaching the stunning Water Mouth Cove and the Combe Martin which signalled the half way stage. The Exmoor Coast was then followed all the way to Minehead.

James won the event in an incredibly quick time of 14:14:42.

Susanne Westgate and Stephanie Ross packed their cases and flew out to Majorca to take part in the Zafiro Palma Half Marathon on Sunday 9^th October.

The route took the runners through the city centre, around the harbour and past some of Palma’s most famous monuments. The race started and finished at the Parc de la Mar near the famous Palma Cathedral.

Weather conditions were a little bit warm during the race, but our ladies loved the whole event.

Susanne clocked an impressive time of 02:17:09 to finish 1505^th, and Steph finished in 1625^th place recording a time of 02:21:36.

Roger Hayes and Philip Smith took part in the Autumn Challenge organised by Running Events Devon. The race route was centred along the scenic old railway line in Exmouth. 8 out and back laps each totalling 5.3km made up the full marathon distance.

Philip ran a personal best while clocking a great time of 03:48:20 to finish in 2^nd place. Philip sliced 8 minutes of his previous best time.

Roger finished in 3^rd place, notching yet another marathon to his impressive tally. Roger posted a very respectable time of 03:52:18. There were 20 finishers.

The weather conditions were beautiful with sunny conditions throughout.

On the second day of the weekend event, Suzie Mills competed in the Challenge event. Suzie completed one lap in 00:38:08.